“Positive Teamwork, Positive Results”

Archive for May, 2009

For a couple of years now, I’ve heard of the dangers of dogs and paper shredders. Owners forget to turn them off or they’re not paying attention as the dog wanders in to see what they’re up to. Viola! Dog’s tongue ends up in the paper shredder!

I’m sure there are many owners who don’t even think of this hidden danger. For safety’s sake, turn your paper shredder off when not in use. Better yet, unplug it so there’s no doubt. While you’re actively shredding things, place your dog on a DOWN away from activity and out of the way. It’s a good opportunity for training practice! Or keep him out of the room altogether.

These photos were submitted to Veterinary Technician, a vet tech journal. If you need help remembering to turn off or unplug your shredder, tape a photo to it and it should be a graphic reminder. This dog was a 7 year old lab, virtually unfazed by the whole incident. I don’t think you can say the same thing about the owners.

Now the sun’s rising earlier and setting later and Memorial Day has kicked off the summer season, chances are you and your dog are enjoying more time outdoors. Longer hikes, camping, more Frisbee, more swimming are probably among the list of activities.
Remember, just like we can suffer pains and strains from being a Weekend Warrior and out-of-shape, so can our dog. It’s important to start out slowly and build up to longer and more strenuous activities to avoid injuries.
In our heads, we know this for ourselves.
The hard part is convincing your dog of this. They don’t live in their bodies. They live in their heads. Their adrenalin will keep them moving long after their bodies should be. Torn ligaments, strained muscles, sprained joints, and more are some of the risks for your dog.
Anyone who’s had a dog on restricted activity can tell you it’s not a fun way to spend a summer.
Take the time to warm up and cool down (BOTH you and your dog) before and after strenuous exercise. Neither one of you will be happy if either of you suffer an injury.

On Friday afternoon, Tringa & I were scheduled to go to school so the boys could read to us. Early Friday morning I got an e-mail from the teacher we work with saying he had completely forgotten about the yearbook signing party. It was scheduled during our reading time. He suggested we cancel.

Little did he know how a dog trainer’s mind works. On Thurs I had brought an ink stamp pad to work for one of my co-workers. She’s in a cast & we needed to get ink stamps of Weber, the clinic cat, so he could “sign” her cast. The stamp pad was right in front of me.

I posted back suggesting we didn’t have to read. In fact, if the boys wanted, Tringa could stop by and sign their year books, too.

He thought that’d be good.

We walked into the school office to sign in. There was LOUD music playing in the gym. Another teacher was on the announcement system telling the students they had to remain in their seats for another 3 minutes. They would be released, just sit tight. Then he found out we were there to sign yearbooks. So he announced “Ky is in the building”.

Oops.

Ky had visited this school for 4 years. Tringa’s only been going a few months. Most people there are still making the name mix-up. Ky is much easier to say than Tringa, too.

Little did this teacher know, Ky really was in the building. Well, some of his hair anyway. Tringa has a braid of Ky’s hair in the medicine bag she wears on her collar while we visit.

So Tringa & I made our way to the gym before the kids were released to the party. There was a live band on stage. It was LOUD! The floor vibrated.

I placed Tringa on a towel near the back of the room. And in came the kids. THE ENTIRE SCHOOL. It was great. She was a trooper. She signed lots of yearbooks. Yearbooks of students we’d never even seen before.

There was popcorn and pop. Music and games.

The only part she didn’t like is that I wouldn’t let her get up. Black dog paw prints all over the gym floor wasn’t a good idea in my mind.

When I was sure everyone who wanted Tringa to sign their book had done so, I cleaned off her foot and we got up to dance a little.

Seeing these plants blooming or hearing these animals singing are all sure signs Spring has finally made its way to the Northwoods.

Not far behind will be the many wildlife babies sharing our space. Already Northwoods Wildlife Center (NWC) has baby black bears, squirrels, bunnies and crows among its first babies admitted for care.

In years past, dog attacks were responsible for 3.37%-10.92% of patients admitted to NWC. The average of the last decade is 6.22%. That’s roughly 49 patients per year admitted because someone didn’t have control of their dog.

Sometimes the dog kills the mom and leaves behind orphans. Sometimes the dog manages to chase down and actually attack a fawn. Sometimes the dog is just being a dog and sniffs out a nest of cottontail rabbits in the lawn.

How can we as responsible dog owners also be responsible environmental stewards?

The most obvious answer it to train your dog. No chasing after wildlife. At the very least your dog should have an impeccable recall and a steady leave it or off command.

Dogs are dogs and driven by instinct, so keep an eye your dog and what she’s doing. They are similar to kids in the fact they can get into trouble quickly.

What happens if, despite all your good intentions and watchfulness, your dog disturbs some wild babies?

First, leash or confine your dog so no further damage can be done.

Then call your local wildlife rehabilitation center. Many times they can instruct you on how to return animals to their proper moms. If that’s not possible, they can advise you what’s best for the animal.

NEVER feed an orphan unless instructed to do so by a professional. Wildlife need very special diets and milks. Using something you may have around the house can cause gastric crisis very frequently ending in the animal’s death.